Samalga Island
Island Remote Aleutian island in Alaska's island chain
Remote Aleutian island in Alaska’s Fox Islands chain; reached mainly by research or expedition vessels for seabird colonies, rugged coastline and extreme remoteness.
Samalga Island is an uninhabited island in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is a rocky, remote landform that is part of the Aleutian archipelago and lies offshore in the Bering Sea region.
The island features exposed shoreline and seabird habitat and is visited infrequently due to rough seas and remote conditions. There are no permanent settlements or infrastructure on the island.
No permanent human-built structures of note are present; the island’s value is primarily ecological and geographic rather than recreational.
Samalga Island sits at the western end of the Fox Islands portion of the Aleutian chain in Alaska, remote from major population centres and accessible only by sea or specialized aircraft.
- Access and use: Uninhabited and remote, the island is visited mainly by researchers, birdwatchers and experienced mariners; access is by private boat or research vessel only.
How to Get to Samalga Island #
Access requires chartered vessels or long-range aircraft from Aleutian hubs such as Unalaska. There are no facilities; visits are undertaken only by experienced crews or research teams.
Tips for Visiting Samalga Island #
- If approaching by sea, check weather forecasts carefully - the Aleutian weather can close a window in hours.
- Bring binoculars for seabirds and marine mammals - the island is a remote wildlife viewpoint.
Best Time to Visit Samalga Island #
Samalga Island is reachable only in the brief Aleutian summer window and is visited chiefly by scientists and experienced mariners.
Weather & Climate near Samalga Island #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1220 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and breezy conditions.
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March
March is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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July
July is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (146 mm) and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (146 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and breezy conditions.
